What do you do when the home site selected for your $2 million model home doesn't offer a view? You hire a Landscape Architect to create one. Creating a private, tropical garden view for the Monet Model in Quail West Country Club was the task assigned to Stephen Trudnak, FASLA, of Stephen J. Trudnak/ P.A. Landscape Architecture. "In our business, " Trudnak says, "we're always trying to frame views. Here, our task was to close off the site and focus inwards. To do so, we created many cross views and interior points of visual interest." A study in contrasts, the landscape of this home features a brick building facade; reminiscent of country estate home, the formal front elevation constitutes an unusual site for Southwestern Florida. A waterfall and pedestrian bridge over connecting ponds in the front yard set the tone for the backyard scene, which encompasses the entire space to the rear of the house. A mature, wooded preserve area creates a vivid backdrop for the residence's lagoon-style pool and garden, while a broad spectrum of tropical plantings incorporated into the landscape palette extends the overall effect of a lush, private garden. Enhanced by luxuriant plantings, a combination of Alabama ledge rock and custom-colored rock castings were used in the pool and rockscape areas. A deep, private spa located within the rock grotto hides beneath a twelve-foot tall waterfall. And to complete the private garden, a huge screened enclosure surrounds the entire pool, allowing the client to fully utilize this area for entertainment. One of the major challenges of this project facing the Landscape Architect was to create a pool that looked as though it was cut from natural-looking rock while at the same time incorporating the Alabama ledge rock used throughout the hardscape. Rockscapes International was charged with creating and installing the simulated "sunning rock," while T & S Concrete developed a new Bomanite pattern, designed specifically for this home. This hand-molded concrete pattern, random slate, was used in all outdoor areas including the steps that resemble large concrete slabs. Special edge molds were developed to form the pool coping as natural shaped rock. "This project was completed under an extremely tight schedule," Trudnak explains. "In order to meet our deadline, we used a team approach throughout design and construction." A true team building process involved the landscape architect, architect, builder, pool contractor, rockscape contractor, concrete contractor, landscape contractor and lighting and sound system contractor. And a value-engineered approach conserved both time and money throughout design and construction, which helped avoid conflicts on-site between participants. Some of the contractors worked more closely together than others. Since natural rock was being used, the pool and rockscape contractors integrated their schedules to more readily accommodate the heavy loads of rock and construction of the structures to support the simulated rock effects. A special design and steel superstructure was used to construct the walk-in grotto. Moore Landscapes, the landscape contractor, was assigned to procure materials in a timely manner and coordinate placement of the drains, irrigation and electrical conduits. Working with the Landscape Architect, the paving contractor was able to create color-correct embossed concrete that matched the natural ledge rock used in the project. The concrete entry, pool deck, stairs and patio area blend nicely with the man-made and natural rocks. To create the look of rock slabs, the steps were individually poured, troweled, colored and sculpted; these artistic efforts were rewarded when the project was honored with Bomanite's 1995 Outstanding Project Worldwide Gold Award. Ephemeral lighting and sound effects incorporated by Stonelight into the overall landscape design?EUR??,,????'??+particularly the spectacular night-time lighting?EUR??,,????'??+ create a wonderful mood for the space, while computerized lighting allows the client to select mood lighting designed to fit six different occasions, from evening party to bright light or bedtime lighting. A sophisticated communications system connects the entire home; for example, an intercom unit in the grotto spa allows the homeowner to communicate with people at the front door. Rock-encased speakers distribute music throughout the pool and entertainment area. The Landscape Architect used changing levels of design for outdoor living and entertainment - creating unique gathering spaces in this brightly colored, freely flowing entertainment area. VIEWERS FROM THE SECOND FLOOR OF THIS RESIDENCE MAY REFLECT ON THE BLACK-BOTTOMED, LAGOON-STYLE POOL(TOP), INSTALLED BY BAKER CONTRACTING, INC. A TWELVE-FOOT TALL CASCADE ARTISTICALLY SCREENS THE CUSTOM, ROCK GROTTO SPA(ABOVE) Photos by Chroma. Inc., provided courtesy of Stephen Trudnak, P.A. Landscape Architecture. THE RECESSED FRONT ENTRANCE MANDATED A LONG WALK TO THE FRONT DOOR. TO ELIMINATE THE PERCEPTION OF DISTANCE AND INTRODUCE THE ELEMENTS FOUND IN THE BACK OF THE GARDEN, A LARGE POND WAS CONSTRUCTED OF ALABAMA LEDGE ROCK(BOTTOM LEFT). THE AWARD-WINNING BOMANITE FINISHES ARE SHOWCASED HERE(BOTTOM RIGHT) ALONG WITH A VARIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL SPACES CREATED AS PART OF THE HARDSCAPE DESIGN. Photos by Oscar Thompson provided courtesy of Stephen J. Trudnak, P.A. Landscape Architecture. ONCE THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT'S WORKING DRAWINGS WERE COMPLETED, THIS RENDERING OF THE CLIENT'S POOL AND ROCKSCAPE WAS DEVELOPED BY THE BUILDER, ELITE HOMES.